Chollas Parkway brush fire forces people from their homes

SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8/CNS) - A fast-moving brush fire in the Redwood Village area near Chollas Creek burned dangerously close to homes in San Diego, but was held to two acres, authorities said Monday.

The fire was reported about 5:30 p.m. Sunday near 54th Street between Chollas Parkway and Streamview Drive, officials said. It spread through the canyon.

Investigators say the fire may have been intentionally set. They are still trying to determine what or who may have started the fire.

Twenty-three homes were threatened by the flames and evacuated, San Diego Fire Department Battalion Chief Dan Froelich said. Only 16 were actually evacuated because people were home at the time, he said.

The evacuations were lifted about 7 p.m. and firefighters remained in the area through the night to put out hot spots, Froelich said. There were no injuries.

Chollas Creek is an urban creek that runs through San Diego and empties into the San Diego Bay.